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Graffiti along Washington highways has become more common, and the state will soon begin to tackle the problem.
Gov. Jay Inslee on March 15 signed House Bill 1989, which creates a pilot program to test drones to paint over graffiti. The Washington State Department of Transportation also will use cameras to deter and identify perpetrators. Tolling and work safety zone enforcement cameras will not be used during the pilot, said bill sponsor, Rep. Andrew Barkis (R-Olympia).
"I am confident this pilot program will make significant strides in combating graffiti vandalism and reestablishing a culture of respect for our shared space," Barkis said in a Wednesday news release.
He cited a 2023 blog post by WSDOT employees, who said new bridges, overpasses and other structures are often hot spots for the crimes as they offer taggers fresh blank canvases. The post added that WSDOT maintenance teams had spent $1.4 million on graffiti removal over the previous two years.
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WSDOT will oversee the pilot, which begins when the bill takes effect June 6. The program will focus on Interstate 5 between Tacoma and Seattle and the 10-mile North Spokane Corridor of U.S. Route 395.
The bill requires WSDOT to report to the Legislature by Dec. 1 on the program's progress, including funding allocation, the effectiveness of identification methods and the results of spray drone testing.
"The explosion of graffiti in our state has become a serious concern that demands an immediate and comprehensive response," Barkis said. "This bill acknowledges the frustration Washingtonians feel about graffiti on our roadways and sends a clear message that enough is enough."
Local attorneys
| Rank | Prior Rank | Law firm (prior rank) |
|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Perkins Coie LLP |
2 | 2 | Davis Wright Tremaine LLP |
3 | 3 | K&L Gates LLP |
